BROCKTON – The tractor trailer that struck and killed a 12-year-old Brockton boy on his birthday Thursday has been ordered off the road by State Police after it was found to have several violations.

As of Friday afternoon, the driver of a tractor trailer that fatally struck Nazaire Nunes-Escobar has not been charged in the accident, said Jessica Healy, spokeswoman for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office.

Thursday was Nunes-Escobar’s 12th birthday and he was skating on Rollerblades he had received as a present when he was fatally struck on Battles Street.

Healy said that, while the driver has not been charged in the boy’s death, the company that owns the trailer portion of the vehicle has been issued two citations by State Police.

Spiegel South Shore Scrap Metal of Brockton was cited for excessive air-loss rate from the brake system and for a cracked lift hinge assembly frame.

Healy said it is still under investigation whether the violations contributed to the killing of Nunes-Escobar.

Additionally, the company was notified of several other violations for which it was not cited, State Police said, including:

Three inoperable lamps on trailer.

Audible air leak at axle on trailer.

Audible air leak from rear tandem area of trailer.

Operating a commercial motor vehicle without periodic inspection.

Cracked lift hinge assembly at axle on trailer.

Unable to maintain air pressure in brake system at axle on trailer.

Four defects were also found on the tractor portion of the vehicle, State Police said.

Inoperative horn.

Oil and/or grease leak under tractor’s transmission.

No upper reflective sheeting on trailer.

Defective reflective sheeting on mud flaps.

The driver, a 33-year-old Hanover man, was served with notice of the violations.

BROCKTON – When coach Adam Portrait didn’t have anybody to play catcher on his Little League baseball team this spring, Nazaire Nunes-Escobar came to him right away, offering to fill the position.

“He couldn’t catch a ball being a catcher,” Portrait, 22, of Brockton said laughing. “He couldn’t stop a ball from getting by him but the effort was there. He suited up and did it more than anyone else could do.”

Tragically, 12-year-old Nunes-Escobar died Thursday after being struck by a tractor-trailer on Battles Street in Brockton.

Thursday was the youngster’s 12th birthday. He was skating down the street on the new pair of Rollerblades he received as a birthday present when he was fatally struck.

Portrait was at a makeshift memorial on Battles Street Friday morning where dozens of candles were placed on the sidewalk a few feet from where the boy lost his life.

Many of the candles were melted onto the sidewalk, remaining from a vigil the night before. Wax dripped down off the curb onto the street before hardening.

Stuffed animals, toys and rosary beads were scattered next to the candles. A lone balloon reading “Birthday Boy” fluttered in the breeze.

People came throughout the day Friday to the memorial. Some came to pray. Others just looked at the flickering candles. Many drivers slowed down and gazed with solemn stares.

Portrait brought a medal that all his players received at the end of the Little League season and wrote “RIP Nazaire” on its front. He placed it down on the sidewalk with the other mementos.

This year was Portrait’s first year as a coach for the Brockton North Little League. He said he was glad he got to meet Nazaire.

“He was one of the kids that was a late edition to the team. Just from the beginning his smile could light up a room. He was just an outgoing kid. I always heard his voice from inside the dugout,” Portrait said. “He’s someone that I would want my kid to grow up to be like. Just an outgoing kid, always positive.”

“It hit me. I was in tears. It’s just hard because he was a 12-year-old kid. It was his birthday and he was just riding his new Rollerblades,” Portrait said.

Jamila Bowers has known Nazaire since he was 5 years old. Her mother lives in an apartment next to Nazaire’s family in the Roosevelt Heights apartment complex. Bower’s son was a good friend of Nazaire and they attended the candlelight vigil together Thursday night.

“He was just a really good kid. He was all over the complex. All the kids knew him. He had a little sister. They all protected his little sister,” said Bowers, 36.

Page 2 of 2 - She said the news of Nazaire’s death hit the kids in the neighborhood particularly hard.

“All the young kids in here, emotionally, it’s hard for them. Especially where they’re all saying ‘We were just together,’” Bowers said.

Her son Quame St. Louis, 13, couldn’t believe the news.

“He was very emotional asking why and things like that. He’s kind of quiet right now. But he’s sticking together with his friends. They all just went to camp,” Bowers said.

Bowers said it was important for the kids to be together and go to camp to help to take their minds off the tragedy.

Paula Bryant didn’t know Nunes-Escobar or anyone from his family. She was inside her car parked on Battles Street at 7:45 a.m., Friday, crying.

In her hands, she held a gift bag containing a guardian angel doll and an inspirational book about motherhood. She said she was hoping for Nazaire’s mother to come to the memorial so she could give her the gifts before going to work at 9 a.m.

“I just want to make sure and see that she gets it in her hands,” Bryant, 45, of Brockton, said. “I’m a mother and a grandmother. One way or another, I’ll get these to her.”

Shortly after 9 a.m., already late for work, Bryant pulled up to the apartment complex where Nazaire’s family lives. Someone had told her the address and she walked over and placed the bag on their doorstep.

“May God bless you and hold your child in the palm of his hands,” she said.